8th Family Harp Weekend – National Botanic Garden of Wales

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On this page you can book your slot on any of the FREE ‘Hands on Harps’ workshops and also FREE your space for the harpist events (workshop with Robin Huw Bowen and Music Story) if you are already play the harp, everyone is welcome!

Please note your email receipt will act as your ticket reservation to bring with you on the day.

Full details available by clicking >>HERE<< I look forward to seeing you at the Garden!

Description

Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June 2019

The 8th Family Harp Weekend

National Botanic Garden of Wales

The Harp is the National Instrument of Wales, yet many people have never touched one.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales aims to change that for all adventurous and curious visitors to the garden at their 8th Family Harp Weekend!

On the Saturday 29th and Sunday 39th June the NBGW host its 8th annual harp weekend organised by Shelley Fairplay, a harpist who is deeply passionate about engaging people with the harp and the hugely divers music it has to offer.

Come and join us for the 8th annual family harp weekend at the National Botanic Garden of Wales (10:00am to 4.00pm) to hear Robin Huw Bowen perform on Wales’ traditional triple harp, and Shelley Fairplay with the modern day electric harp, try the harp for the first time at a Hands on Harps workshop, bring little children to a Tiny Hands on Harps session, listen to the Cardiff based ensemble group Dynamic Harps perform, the Wales Clarsach Society ensemble perform, become a Harp Detective and make your very own harp crown.

Do you already play the harp? Brilliant! You are invited to join the harpist workshop with Robin Huw Bowen and also take part in the ensemble concert and musical story. You will have the opportunity to play in the magical setting amongst the flowers! If you have just started playing, played for years, or simple own a harp and want to hang out with harpists then bring your instrument along to play in an open rehearsal in the morning and then perform in the afternoon. The sessions will suite all levels, reading or not reading music. If you would like to read more and/or attend please click >>HERE<<

All events are FREE once you have entered the gardens, for information on the National Botanic Garden of Wales admission times and prices please visit their website by clicking this link: NBGW

Runtime of events on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June 2019

10.00am – 4.00pm Harp Weekend Information/Booking Desk Open

10.00am – 4.00pm Harp Detective Trail

10.00am – 4.00pm Make Your Own Garden Themed Harp Crown

10.15am – 10.45am: ‘The Fairy Harp’ Open Rehearsal – If you are already at the gardens come and see this preview of our 12.30pm event!

3.15pm – 4.00pm: Hands on Harps Workshop – Come & try the harp for the first time

All events are FREE once you have entered the gardens, for information on the National Botanic Garden of Wales admission times and prices please visit their website by clicking this link: NBGW

Full details of Events:

10.00am – 4.00pm Harp On Desk – Great Glass House

Come along to the ‘Harp On’ desk to find out more about the harp weekend!
Here you can book your workshop space, pick up your harp detective trail sheet, access the harp crown craft table, enter the ‘Draw the harps in the flowers Competition’, pick up a timetable, and ask any questions you might have regarding the weekend’s events!

This stand will be run by wonderful volunteers, friends and performers of Dynamic Harps.

10.00am-10.30am: ‘The Fairy Harp’ Open Rehearsal – for harpists and general public

Do you already play the harp? Brilliant! You are invited to join this open rehearsal for ‘The Fairy Harp’ musical story in the magical setting amongst the flowers! If you have just started playing, played for years, or simple own a harp and want to hang out with harpists then bring your instrument along to play in an open rehearsal in the morning and then perform in the afternoon. The short session will suite all levels, reading or not reading music. Much of the music has been worked on by Dynamic Harps in advance so you will be able to join is as much or as little as you feel confident with, or just sit back and enjoy the sounds, there is nothing quite like being in the middle of a harp ensemble! If you would like to read more and/or attend please click >>HERE<<

Not a harpist? You are welcome to come along and listen to us preparing to perform in the afternoon performance, an interesting behind the scenes experience!

10.45am-12.15pm: The Harp Petting Zoo!

A really informal chance to come and try harps, ask questions and hear the instrument played, for those of you not quite up for a full workshop this is a great chance to pop along and see these amazing, beautiful and relatively rare instruments up close.

11.00am-12.00 noon: Workshop for Harpists with Robin Huw Bowen

Do you already play the harp? Brilliant! Whatever type of harp you play, you are invited to join this workshop with Robin Huw Bowen, taking place in a classroom space within the Great Glass House. Robin Huw Bowen is a full-time professional Welsh harpist specialising solely in the Welsh Triple Harp, his influence on the world of Welsh folk music and harping has been far-reaching. He undoubtedly ranks among the most important figures that the Welsh folk tradition has produced. If you would like to read more and/or attend please click >>HERE<<

Try the lap harps together and enjoy much loved nursery rhymes and stories! This workshops is aimed at children 2-6 with one to one parental support in the session.
The 15-minute children’s session are free once you have paid for your admission in to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. Tickets will available on the day at the ‘Harp on’ stand or can be booked in advance clicking here and signing up for FREE by clicking >>HERE<<.

All children must be accompanied by an adult sitting alongside them during this event.

11.30am – 12.15pm “Hands on Harps” Workshop (45 minutes)

Always wanted to try the harp? Come along to try our National Instrument of Wales, with harpist Shelley Fairplay
Workshop will include demonstrations on a Pedal, Celtic and Lap Harp, then along with Shelley’s guidance, you can have a go at playing one of the fifteen 17 string lap harps available on the day. Maximum of 30 people per session, adults and children aged 7 up. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
A place on the workshop is free once you have paid for your admission in to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. Tickets will available on the day at the ‘Harp on’ stand or can be booked in advance clicking here and signing up for FREE by clicking >>HERE<<.

12.30pm -1pm Premier of ‘The Fairy Harp’ musical story with professional storyteller The Yarn Weaver.

In this performance we will showcase the musical version of traditional Welsh story tale, ‘The Fairy Harp’ told by professional storyteller ‘The Yarn Weaver (www.Yarnweaver.co.uk) and accompanied by Shelley Fairplay (www.HarpWales.com) and her community ensembles Dynamic Harps. This will be engaging for both young and old so come along and join us!

Since 1983, Robin Huw Bowen has introduced the Welsh Triple Harp and its music to thousands all over the world. As the only full-time professional Welsh harpist specializing solely in the Welsh Triple Harp, his influence on the world of Welsh folk music and harping has been far-reaching. He undoubtedly ranks among the most important figures that the Welsh folk tradition has produced.

‘ Robin has got to be one of the top performers, giving the Welsh Triple Harp the airing it so rightly deserves, and his show on this night was one of the best I”ve ever seen or heard.’ (Living Tradition)

Come and enjoy hearing harp ensemble Dynamic Harps perform, There are now three groups in Cardiff meeting regularly for ensemble workshops with Harpist Shelley Fairplay. This is an open event so come along and have a listen! We will premier a new piece called ‘Growing the Future’.
Dynamic Harps are thrilled to be joined by harpist friends from across Wales for the ‘Flash Mob Harp Ensemble’ and The Clarsach Society Wales Branch who will be performing on the Saturday.

Try the lap harps together and enjoy much loved nursery rhymes and stories! This workshops is aimed at children 2-6 with one to one parental support in the session.
The 15-minute children’s session are free once you have paid for your admission in to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. Tickets will available on the day at the ‘Harp on’ stand or can be booked in advance clicking here and signing up for FREE by clicking >>HERE<<.
All children must be accompanied by an adult sitting alongside them during this event.

Learn basic harp techniques

3.15pm – 4.00pm “Hands on Harps” Workshop (45 minutes)

Always wanted to try the harp? Come along to try our National Instrument of Wales, with harpist Shelley Fairplay
Workshop will include demonstrations on a Pedal, Celtic and Lap Harp, then along with Shelley’s guidance, you can have a go at playing one of the fifteen 17 string lap harps available on the day. Maximum of 30 people per session, adults and children aged 7 up. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
A place on the workshop is free once you have paid for your admission in to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. Tickets will available on the day at the ‘Harp on’ stand or can be booked in advance clicking here and signing up for FREE by clicking >>HERE<<.

Make your own ‘Harp Crown’ Craft– All Day Event (10am-4pm)

Do you like to stick and glue? Do you like to colour in? Then this activity is for you!

Brand new activity for this year! Come and create your very one harp crown to wear for the day! Harp Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses can parade around the garden!
This is an unsupervised activity so toddlers and children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. The Crowns should fit adults too, you are welcome to make one whatever your age!

‘Harp Detectives’ Trail of Discovery!

Harp Detectives – All Day Event (10am-4pm)

Harp Detectives – take part in an exciting trail of discovery! This activity is designed for children to explore and discover for themselves interesting information related to the harp whilst journeying around the beautiful Great Glass House. Collect your trail sheet from the Harp On desk in the Great Glass House. Successful harp detectives may return to the Harp On desk to receive a sticker as recognition of their resourceful exploring!

What next?!

Has this weekend awoken your inner wannabe harpist?! Why not join Shelley Fairplay’s brand new online START HARP class where you can learn to play the harp from the very beginning using lap, lever or pedal harp. Need a harp? Shelley will be happy to help you find one, just email her on info@harpwales.com

Over the weekend, Shelley’s two CD’s will be available to buy from the National Botanic Garden of Wales.